“Maria Sharapova Was My Idol, but…”: Paula Badosa Shares Garbine Muguruza’s Impact on Her

24-year-old Spaniard Paula Badosa has made an incredible breakthrough in the 2021 season. Not only did she win her first two WTA singles titles and enter the Top 10 rankings this year, she even qualified for the WTA Finals. And now, she is in the semifinals of the year-ending finale, where she will meet compatriot Garbine Muguruza. Accordingly, Badosa revealed that she looked up to Muguruza more than her idol Maria Sharapova.

Notably, Badosa registered stunning straight-set victories over Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari in Guadalajara, Mexico. Hence, she made it into the semifinals despite losing her third match to Iga Swiatek.

On the other side, the two-time Grand Slam champion made a spectacular comeback after losing her first match in WTA Finals. Muguruza ended Anett Kontaveit’s 12-match winning streak to book the semifinals spot against Badosa.

Read More: “Most Incredible Story”: Coach Patrick Mouratoglou Hails Serena Williams’ Father After Watching King Richard

Paula Badosa on Maria Sharapova and Garbine Muguruza

Without any doubt, it is significant for both Badosa and Muguruza to compete in the WTA Finals semifinals. In addition to that, both of them called the all-Spaniard semifinal “amazing.”

Most importantly, the younger Spaniard reflected on meeting her country’s tennis star on the court. Even though she idolized five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, Badosa always had a special place for Muguruza.

“Having two Spaniards face off in the semifinals is just amazing,” Badosa said. “Maria Sharapova was my idol, but I grew up in the sign of Garbine Muguruza, and it is an honor for me to play against her.”

Chiefly, it will be the first time since 1993 that a Spanish professional will reach the final of the WTA Finals. Hence, it makes their encounter even more exceptional.

“It’s amazing [that] there are four players left, and two of them are Spaniards,” Muguruza said. “That just shows that Spain has a great level of tennis and a great school.”

Read More: Serena Williams ‘Can’t Wait’ For Naomi Osaka’s Tennis Comeback

Who are the other WTA Finals 2021 semifinalists besides Badosa and Muguruza?

Fascinatingly, Kontaviet was the first player to make it into the last four in Mexico. She will face Greece’s Maria Sakkari for a place in the final.

What’s more interesting, the battle for the semifinal spot had come down to a deciding set between Sakkari and Sabalenka. But after two hours and 47 minutes, the Greek professional upset the top seed 7-6 (1), 6-7 (6), 6-3.

All in all, the two semifinals encounters would be nothing less than blockbusters. Let’s see which player goes through and lifts the WTA Finals 2021 trophy.

Watch this story: Husband and Boyfriends of Tennis Players